Application of a Heat- and Steam-Generating Sheet Increases Peripheral Blood Flow and Induces Parasympathetic Predominance
Figure 8
Serial changes in the electrocardiographic R-R interval variability spectrum during and after application of the HSG sheet. ∘; Control (sham belt applied to the anterior abdominal region and lumbar region), ●; HSG sheet applied and fixed as a waist belt to the anterior abdominal region, ▴; HSG sheet applied and fixed as a waist belt to the lumbar region, (a) HF norm (high-frequency component: an index of parasympathetic activity), (b) LF/HF (ratio of the low and high-frequency components of the power spectrum of the HR variability: an index of sympathetic activity). Relative to the level of each parameter at rest (=100%), the percentages of each during the 60-minute period of application of the sham belt or HSG sheet belt to the anterior abdominal region/lumbar region (the period marked with dotted line) and the 30-minute period after removal of the sham belt or HSG sheet belt (until 90 minutes during and after application of the belt/sheet) are shown. Data are mean ± SE of the 10 subjects. **() indicates significant differences from the control group (Tukey-Kramer’s multiple comparison).
